Am I nuts to fly on Christmas Eve?

[harleyquinn]

Flights are so much more for the 23rd. Is that the busier day?

We either do this or wait until August (yuck)! What do you think?
TIA!

 

[salmoneous]

I've flown a lot of Christmas Eve (doing Christmas Eve at DW's parents, then flying down to mine for Christmas Day). It's usually a quiet night for flights. Especially with it being on Sunday this year, I would expect it to be very quiet and good for flying.

 

[ducklite]

Agreed. I think Friday and Saturday 12/22-23 are going to be nuts, but Sunday everyone should [retty much be where they are going.

Anne

 

[keliblue]

Our two favorite times to fly are Xmas eve and 4th of July , the airports and flights are quiet and usullay cheaper

 

[paladin]

One thing to keep in mind when planning - if your flight is later in the day/evening, you may find that many of the stores/restaurants at the airport will close early (at least that is what happened to us), so maybe bring snacks with you if you are thinking of getting food at the airport.

 

[tracys2cents]

And lots of airlines cut some of their flights on Dec 25. So if you're flying out of a "snow state" or connecting through a "snow state" , you could get stuck there on Christmas Eve and sit there all day on christmas!

 

[Ub_Iwerks]

I flew to Orlando Christmas Eve a few years ago. The only problem I recall was a huge line at the rental car counter at the Orlando airport. Since then, we've used Tiffany Town Car. I'd definitely pick WDW in December over August. It's too hot in the late summer to enjoy the parks. Christmas is more crowded, but it's still fun!

 

[Hannathy]

Another option is to fly on Christmas day. We did this a couple of times, was cheaper and not busy. Kids opened presents at home ate then went to the airport. The advise about restaraunts not being open is very true-even in the airports. I always thought the airport should insist at least one stay open but that is not always the case.

 

[nuke]

I like flying on Holidays. The flights are empty and the staff is usually pretty upbeat. They are usually nice relaxing rides.

 

[harleyquinn]

Wow! Thanks everyone!

This wasn't the answer I was expecting, but it's the one I want to hear!!

I figured since flights were so much cheaper on Christmas Eve than the 23rd that it would be a better day.

Now I just have to convince DH.

Thanks everyone!!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

We haven't flown on Christmas Eve, but we've flown Thanksgiving Day and it was great. Little to no lines at the airport and flight crews that were in a surprising good mood (must be holiday pay!).

 

[Ub_Iwerks]

Do flights also tend to be cheaper New Year's Eve or New Year's Day?

 

[salmoneous]

Do flights also tend to be cheaper New Year's Eve or New Year's Day?

Not sure about NYE, but when January 2nd is a work day (as it will be in 2007) NYD tends to be a pretty busy travel day, so you won't find a bunch of cheap flights.